Police officer set on fire and three more hurt after Polish football fans unleash ‘planned violence’ at Aston Villa game

Police officer set on fire and three more hurt after Polish football fans unleash ‘planned violence’ at Aston Villa game

Four people were hurt on Thursday night following an altercation with Polish football

supporters prior to Aston Villa’s home Europa Conference League match.

Among them was a police officer who was set on fire.

Supporters of Legia Warsaw were challenged by riot-clothed officers who opened

fire on them with flares and missiles outside Villa Park.

A flare struck an officer, who was subsequently transported to the hospital with burns.

Nobody suffered any severe injuries.

A horse and two police dogs were also injured in the altercations.

39 persons were taken into custody.

West Midlands Police declared a “significant policing operation”

and prohibited away fans from entering the stadium; yet, the game began at 8 p.m.

Following the announcement of a decreased ticket allocation due to safety concerns,

Aston Villa claimed to have launched “planned and systematic” violence.

Following violent confrontations involving Dutch police at a game between

the Polish club and AZ Alkmaar, the number of tickets allotted to Legia Warsaw supporters

for the Aston Villa fixture was reduced from 1,700 to 1,002.

The traveling supporters of Legia Warsaw were reportedly infuriated by that, and about a thousand of them attempted to overrun the turnstiles without tickets. Following the fights on Thursday,

none of the away fans were permitted to enter the stadium.

“We’re currently unable to allow away fans into Villa Park following disorder outside the stadium which has seen missiles thrown at officers,” Birmingham Police stated on Thursday night.

“A major policing operation is still underway, and three officers have already sustained injuries.

“Please avoid Witton Lane where possible.”

Rather, a bus was used to house the Warsaw supporters.

According to journalist Dominik Piechota, “a fight over tickets with the Aston Villa authorities” was the cause of the chaos.

He continued: “Then clashes with the police moments before the match, because many fans were left without tickets and were locked in the area under the stadium.”

In a statement, Aston Villa stated that the violence started after it had lowered the Polish team’s ticket allocation due to safety concerns and that no away supporters were permitted inside the stadium.

“Approximately an hour before kick-off, Legia fans engaged in planned and systematic violent acts against West Midlands Police officers and a decision was then made by West Midlands Police to exclude all Legia supporters,” the club stated.

“Aston Villa strongly condemns the behaviour of those visiting supporters and would like to thank West Midlands Police for their professionalism in very difficult circumstances.”

“The ticket allocation for away fans for this fixture will be reduced to 1,002 on the advice of safety authorities as a result of previous large-scale disorder caused by Legia fans last month at AZ Alkmaar,” the statement continued. “The UK safety authorities, UEFA, and Aston Villa coordinated on November 2.”

“During that disturbance, several Dutch police officers suffered injuries. Consequently, Legia fans were prohibited by UEFA from traveling to Mostar for their match against HŠK Zrinjski.

“Despite Legia Warsaw’s repeated pleas for assistance with their traveling followers—particularly in the previous two days—the visiting team has not provided any support on the critical safety issue involving away fans at Villa Park.

“The club has repeatedly, including this morning, raised concerns in conjunction with UEFA and all the relevant authorities to Legia that ticketless away supporters were attempting to attend Villa Park.”

“Very unpleasant scenes outside Villa Park tonight, which were dealt with absolutely appropriately by West Midlands Police,” stated West Midlands Mayor Andy Street.

“A heartfelt thank you to the courageous cops who risk their lives to ensure the safety of others.

“I trust UEFA will now move swiftly to take strong action.”

Villa went on to triumph 2-1 in the match.

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